How to Add Concrete to Your Kitchen

Concrete is considered a mainstay material of the modern kitchen

Modern, practical and built to last – concrete is the ultimate material to use in contemporary kitchens. Yet, few use it to its full potential. The flowing nature of concrete means it can be shaped into an asymmetric works of art. It can be used for worktops, floors and everything in-between. But to unlock its full potential, you need to know how to apply this time-tested material into your space.

You need to get the mix of concrete elements in your kitchen just-right, or your kitchen could quickly become cold and unwelcoming. Read on for practical ways of adding the most practical material to your kitchen and beyond.

Poured Concrete Worktops

They may seem “trendy” but concrete worktops have been around for many years now. As such, they’ve made the leap from trend to industrial chic kitchen icon. Matte and warm grey with subtle undulating patterns, concrete worktops in fact have all of the features of traditional marble, at a fraction of the price. Look to combine your worktop with wood cabinetry and contrasting appliances to add warmth.

Concrete Walls

If you are blessed with concrete walls in your kitchen, drop the paintbrush and leave them as is. Concrete walls are perfectly suited to both an industrial kitchen and modern space. Interestingly, concrete is a material that is equal parts rough and refined – perfect for creating a bold statement. If you don’t have concrete walls to work with, achieving the look is relatively simple and affordable. You can even go DIY, depending on how rough you’d like the outcome to be.

Concrete Floors

You don’t need to go for an industrial look to choose concrete flooring. Many people know concrete flooring to be easy to maintain, durable and cost-effective, but it can also be customised in many different ways. Colour your concrete floor with a warmer hue, or opt for a patterned design to match your overall design. The flexibility that concrete offers puts it head and shoulders above traditional flooring materials like linoleum and tile.

Concrete Cabinets

There are very few areas in your kitchen, where concrete can’t replace your current material. And cabinets are no exception. Concrete surfaces have characteristics that are always unique – making it a timeless material of choice for bespoke kitchens. Adding concrete cabinet fronts help anchor your kitchen counters. It not only looks seamless and stylish, but lends a feeling of solidity.

Concrete Lampshades

If you’re looking to take your industrial kitchen credentials a step further, a set of poured concrete pendant lamps might do the trick. Despite its obviously durable qualities, concrete pendants look surprisingly elegant. Opt for a gold or brass inner lining to experience the warm honey glow that these lamps provide. While these are now widely available to buy online, making them yourself is pretty painless and satisfying.

Concrete Barstools

Barstool seats made of concrete might seem like an odd idea at first, but upon closer inspection, you’ll see it’s an interesting mid-century modern loft accent. When combining these rugged anchors with the warmer textures of wood for the legs, the result is something truly unique. Some stools are also available with brushed steel legs if you’d like to take the industrial kitchen look one step further.

Concrete is an excellent choice in any modern kitchen when paired with complementary textures and surfaces. Raw wood, for example, is the perfect yin to concrete’s yang. To learn more about the various materials you can use in your space, click through to more Design Ideas or Kitchen Styles.